MANILA, Philippines ? Even though a fight with Floyd Mayweather appears to be dead in the water as of the moment, Manny Pacquiao is not closing the doors on the possibility of facing the brash and unbeaten American fighter owing to the financial benefits it dangles.
Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis ?Chavit? Singson, a close ally of Pacquiao told reporters during a star-studded victory party he hosted Monday night for the Filipino pound-for-pound king in his home at Corinthian Gardens that a fight with Mayweather will probably enable Pacquiao to earn as much as $70 million (about P3.01 billion).
?Kung makuha si Mayweather, okay yun kasi (aabutin ng) $70 million (ang kikitain). $50 million na kasi ang guaranteed (purse),? said Singson, noting that the other source of additional income will come from Pacquiao?s share in pay-per-view and ticket sales.
The Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya showdown in 2007 holds the record of the highest number of PPV buys at 2.4 million and ringsiders believe that it can easily be shattered if the Pacquiao-Mayweather duel takes place.
Pacquiao?s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, is looking at a fight in May 2011 and that Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Andre Berto are being considered as candidates.
Mayweather remains the top priority but since Mayweather is embroiled in legal tussles, Arum is convinced a fight between the two cannot be made soon but is upbeat that the fight will eventually take place.
Singson said he is unsure if Mayweather will agree to face Pacquiao because of the fear of losing.
?Alam ni Mayweather na si Manny ang tatalo sa kanya,? said Singson. ?Takot si Mayweather. Hindi pa nakakatikim ng malakas na suntok.?
In the meantime, Singson said the best alternatives are Marquez and Mosley.
But if Pacquiao and Mayweather get it on and Pacquiao wins, Singson said he would like to see his friend hang up his gloves.
?Okay na yun. Wala na siyang dapat patunayan pa.?
